Here is today's feature on senior running back Shawn Southward, who I think will get close, if not top, the 1,000-yard mark this year. Southward has been solid from Day 1. You can read it in the Thursday print edition of the Dothan Eagle or on dothaneagle.com HERE.
BY DREW CHAMPLIN | dchamplin@dothaneagle.com
TROY – Shawn Southward didn’t have much trouble falling asleep at night this summer.
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| Shawn Southward |
That’s because the senior running back was determined to be in better shape and not have to miss any practice time or game action because of cramps or dehydration, like he had in years past.
Southward lifted weights at 6:30 a.m. and after lunch and after participating in voluntary 7-on-7 passing drills with teammates at night. He also put in some extra running on his own. Add in class, meals and studying and it’s more than a full day’s worth of work.
The result is that the 5-foot-9, 198-pound Southward, Troy’s leading rusher the past three seasons, is in the best shape of his life.
“He knows what it takes to get through a season at running back in this conference,” Troy running backs coach Jeff Beckles said. “If your body’s not conditioned, you’re not going to make it through a whole season. He realizes that and he doesn’t want his body to get fatigued.”
As a freshman, Southward earned the nickname “North and Southward” for his up-the-field running style and ability to avoid needless dancing around in the backfield. He ran for 602 yards that year, taking over starting duties midway through.
His 139-yard, four-touchdown effort at Western Kentucky and 152-yard, two-touchdown performance at UL-Lafayette paved the way for Southward as he earned Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors.
Southward ran for 627 yards in 2010 and 556 last season. The numbers would be higher for other teams, but Troy uses several running backs over the course of the season. This year, Southward is poised to improve on those numbers and push for all-conference honors.
“I feel like I’ve improved a lot,” Southward said. “I’m still a north-south runner, but I can make a cut now. I’m better at cutting. I did a lot of cutting drills and can make a defender miss in open space.”
Troy offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield first noticed Southward when the player starred for Florence High School and Edenfield coached at the University of North Alabama, also in Florence.
“He is one of those guys that comes to work every day, gives you all he’s got and doesn’t say a whole lot,” Edenfield said. “He doesn’t get in trouble academically, does his work in the weight room and it shows up on Saturday.
“He can stick his foot in the ground and go north and south. He’s added some weight to his frame and you can really tell as he pushes through.”
Beckles said Southward has also improved as a pass receiver and will get every opportunity to play at the professional level.
“Scouts have already been intrigued by him,” Beckles said. “You don’t have a lot of shotgun-style offenses (in the NFL). You have a tailback who’s going to line up in the I-formation and go downhill at full speed. That’s the kind of back he is.”
But Southward is waiting a few months to focus on that goal. Troy opens the season Sept. 1 at UAB.
“I’ve worked out and done extra to get in shape and get stronger,” Southward said. “I just want to have a good year and help my team win. We’ve erased last year. We’re not worried about last year. We’re just focused on this year.”
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